Guest post by The Debutantes author Olivia Worley
Olivia Worley is an author born and raised in New Orleans. A graduate of Northwestern University, she now lives in New York City, where she spends her time writing thrillers, over-analyzing episodes of The Bachelor, and hoping someone will romanticize her for reading on the subway. Her debut young adult novel, PEOPLE TO FOLLOW, was published by Wednesday Books in October 2023, with THE DEBUTANTES to follow this October. Her adult debut, SO HAPPY TOGETHER, will be published by Minotaur Books in 2025.
I’ll be honest—I haven’t always been an autumn girl. As a born and raised New Orleanian who now lives in New York City, I’m woefully unprepared for the cold, spurn hot beverages, and can’t help but think of fall as a harbinger of the freezing winter to come. Lately, though, I’ve been coming around. Fall in New York is undeniably beautiful: the fluttering leaves in Central Park, the big coats, that crisp, fresh feeling in air. But for me, there’s one saving grace that rises above them all: I love to get spooky. And I love a spooky read.
My first book, People to Follow—an And Then There Were None-inspired influencer slasher—released on Halloween of last year. My second book, The Debutantes—another YA thriller inspired by my own experience with the glamorous but haunting world of Mardi Gras debutante balls—will be out on October 29th. While these books aren’t set specifically during Halloween, there’s something about reading (and releasing!) a fast-paced, creepy thriller in October that I can’t get enough of.
So, without further ado, here are 6 more YA thrillers that are perfect for the Halloween season. They may not take place in October, but they all bring the thrills and chills—and go perfectly with a cozy sweater, a warm blanket, and your favorite fall treat.
You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
Charity has the perfect summer job: playing the final girl at Camp Mirror Lake, a live-action horror experience inspired by a classic slasher film. But when coworkers start to go missing, Charity realizes she might be living out a real-life slasher. This book is fast-paced and perfectly eerie, with LGBT rep and a killer twist.
Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill
After a night of Mardi Gras partying, Amir wakes up to find Chloe—a popular, wealthy girl at his school—stabbed to death in her bedroom while he slept on the couch. Amir is innocent, but as a Black teen caught fleeing the scene of a white girl’s murder, he knows he’ll never get the benefit of the doubt. When he’s arrested as the only suspect, Amir and his half-brother Marcel must find out who really killed Chloe before it’s too late. Obviously, I love a thriller set in New Orleans, and this one is no exception: a pulse-pounding, razor-sharp exploration of racism, PWIs, and family in a city that’s swimming with secrets.
The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
Something is haunting the town of Snakebite, Oregon: teens are going missing, some found dead, and Ashley’s boyfriend was the first to disappear. When Logan and her parents come to town to film their hit ghost-hunting TV show, she and Ashley team up to uncover the secrets of Snakebite as both the danger—and their feelings for each other—intensify. Creepy, compelling, and deeply moving, this book has a perfect mix of ghosts and gutting prose.
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
From one of today’s biggest YA thriller voices, this book is a refreshing, unputdownable homage to Stephen King’s Carrie about a biracial teen discovering her own power as her small Georgia town hosts its first integrated prom. With a multimedia narrative following a full cast of complex characters, The Weight of Blood is powerful, poignant, and the perfect fix for your horror movie craving.
That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally
A girl wakes up on the side of the road with no memories and is soon taken to the police station by a passing officer. When a man claiming to be her father arrives, ready to take her home, she wonders if she’s gotten her life back…or if she’s in more danger than ever. Buckle up, because this one is full of twists—and there’s a very high chance you’ll read it in one sitting.
The Rosewood Hunt by Mackenzie Reed
When her beloved grandmother suddenly passes away, Lily Rosewood feels alone and unmoored—especially when Gram’s massive fortune goes missing. Then, a final letter from Gram sends Lily and her friends on a high-stakes treasure hunt, offering them a chance at life-changing riches—if someone else doesn’t hunt them down first. Full of intrigue, adventure, romance, and found family, this book will warm your heart as it keeps it racing.
